Language information for parents

Supporting your child in a new school can be very challenging and stressful. Here are some helpful suggestions:

• Work with the school to understand their EAL program and the support services available. Meet with the EAL teacher or coordinator to discuss your child's needs and progress
• Communicate regularly with your child's teachers and ask for regular updates on their progress. This can help you identify any areas where your child may need extra support
• Help your child to develop study habits and routines, such as setting aside regular time for homework and reading
• Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities that can help them practice their language skills, such as joining a language club or sports team
• Support your child's social development by encouraging them to make friends and engage with their classmates. This can help them to feel more comfortable in the classroom and develop their language skills through social interaction
• Finally, be patient and supportive. Learning a new language can be challenging and may take time. Encourage your child to keep trying and celebrate their successes along the way

If you are new to the country, and need to negotiate yourself and your family around a new education system, there can be huge differences that may seem overwhelming.

The school year is split into three terms: Autumn, Spring and Summer, and each term is split with a week of school holiday roughly in the middle. Term dates change slightly each year but the school year runs from early September until the end of July. View the Southampton term dates.

Here is some information about stages and types of school that you may find helpful:

Early years education

Children in England can start early years education (nursery and reception classes) from the age of three. This education is not compulsory, but is designed to prepare children for primary school. Find out more about early years education.

Primary education

Primary education in England typically starts at the age of five and lasts until the age of eleven. In primary school, children study a range of subjects including English, maths, science, history, geography, art, and physical education. In Southampton your child may attend a primary school or may also attend an infant and junior school.

Secondary education

Secondary education in England starts at the age of 11 and lasts until the age of 16, but pupils are required to stay in some form of education or training until they turn 18.

Secondary schools provide a broader curriculum, with students studying a wide range of subjects including:

• English
• Maths
• Science
• Languages
• Humanities
• Creative arts

Many schools will often also offer different language options, including some that may be able to facilitate exams in your home language. Please discuss this with individual schools.

Further education 

After completing secondary education, students can choose to continue their education in further education, which can include studying for vocational qualifications or academic qualifications such as A-levels. This will mainly be for ages 16 to 18 years.

Higher education

Higher education in England includes universities and other higher education institutions. These offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of subjects.

Funding

In England, schools can be maintained schools or academies, with funding based on the number of pupils enrolled:

• Maintained schools are where funding and oversight is through the local authority. These are the majority of schools and are mostly either community schools or foundation schools. In community schools, the local authority employs the school’s staff and is responsible for admissions, while in foundation schools the school employs the staff and has responsibility for admissions
• Academies are where funding and oversight is from the Department for Education (DfE). They are run by an academy trust, which employs the staff. They still have to follow the same rules on special educational needs and behaviour as maintained schools, but they do not have to follow the national curriculum and they can also set their own arrangements around admissions, rather than these being determined by the local authority
• Independent schools are not funded by the government and require tuition fees to be paid by the individual
• Special schools cater specifically for children whose needs cannot be met by the provision and support of a mainstream school. They are usually for children who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) because of their individual needs

Examinations

Students in England take a range of examinations throughout their education, including Key Stage 1 and 2, SATs, GCSEs at the end of secondary school, and A-levels or vocational qualifications in further education.

Overall, the education system in England is designed to provide a broad and balanced education to young people, with a focus on academic achievement and preparation for further study or employment.

In Southampton, parents can apply for a school place for any school age child that they have parental responsibility for.

Applications for school places must be made online. You will need an e-mail address to do this. Apply for a school place.

It is advisable to visit and research your local schools prior to submitting a request as this will help you with your decision making. It is also advisable to input several choices of school to assist the process. It is not a guarantee that these will be allocated, but it is helpful to have multiple options when the team look to allocate your child to the nearest available school place.

You can access the internet for free at public libraries and some other public buildings such as Sure Start Family Hubs across the city.

If you are applying for a school place for a four-year-old to start the following September, or a child who is moving between the primary phase and secondary phase, there are strict deadlines for these applications to be made. If you do not apply for a school within these timescales, you may not be allocated the school of choice for your child.

If your preferred school is full you will be offered a place at the closest school to your home address with a place available. In the absence of other arrangements your child must take up this place.

Your child will be added to the waiting lists of your preferred school(s) that we cannot offer, for the remainder of the academic year.

Find out more about school applications or contact the School Admissions Team.

Parents play an important role in supporting their children's education, including their language development. Here are some ways that EAL parents can support their children:

• Read with your child in your home language: This can help to build their literacy skills and support their understanding of key concepts. Encourage them to read in both their home language and in English
• Continue to speak your home language at home: This can help to maintain your child's connection to their cultural heritage and support their language development
• Encourage English language practice outside of school: You can do this through reading, watching English language TV shows, and conversing with English-speaking peers
• Attend parent-teacher conferences: Communicate regularly with your child's teachers to stay informed about their academic progress and language development
• Advocate for your child's needs: Communicate with the school if you have concerns or if your child is struggling with English language development
• Provide support with homework: Encourage your child to ask for help when they need it. You can also seek help from the school if you need additional support
• Connect with other EAL families in your school or community: Connect with other EAL families to share experiences, resources, and support.
• Foster a positive attitude towards learning: Encourage your child to take pride in their academic achievements, regardless of language barriers
• Encourage self-expression: Help your child to express themselves in both their home language and English, celebrating their language and cultural diversity
• Model a love of learning: You can do this by demonstrating your own interest in education and learning. Encourage your child to see education as a valuable and rewarding pursuit that can lead to future success